As dinner drew to a close, Water Binger's notebook was already filled with various cooking tips.
She closed her notebook with satisfaction, then looked up, meeting Xiao Ze's smiling gaze, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly upward.
Huo Wu keenly caught the subtle expression and immediately said sourly, "Some people just eat, why take notes?"
Shui Yueer immediately defended, "My sister is studious! Unlike some people who only know how to snatch food!"
Seeing a new round of war about to erupt, Xiao Ze quickly intervened, "Alright, alright, do you want to try dessert? I made almond tofu."
"Yes!" all the girls answered in unison, and even the usually aloof Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly.
Night fell, and the stars sparkled like diamonds.
Xiao Ze stood alone on the villa's terrace, gazing up at the vast, boundless night sky.
At this moment, everything was silent, with only the rustling of leaves as the breeze gently stirred them.
The Milky Way stretched across the sky, with countless stars twinkling within it.
Xiao Ze really liked this quiet feeling, watching the stars.
He sat on a long rocking chair, looking at the sky and cracking melon seeds.
"So beautiful."
Soft footsteps came from behind him.
Shui Yueer had also come to the terrace at some point, her long hair glowing softly in the moonlight.
She lifted her delicate face, and the entire starry sky was reflected in her clear blue eyes.
Xiao Ze turned slightly, making space for her, "Not sleeping?"
Since it was too late, Shui Yueer and her two companions stayed here, planning to go to the competition together tomorrow.
Shui Yueer sat lightly beside Xiao Ze.
She pretended to shift her body casually until her shoulder gently touched Xiao Ze's arm.
As the night breeze swept by, a few playful strands of her long hair rested on Xiao Ze's shoulder, emitting a faint, delicate fragrance.
"Brother Xiao Ze~~ Is it really okay for you to give us those precious foods?" Shui Yueer was a bit dazed after learning that the crops she had eaten all had special and very potent effects.
This was the first time in her life she had ever known about such crops.
It was too magical.
"Those crops are grown by my Spirit, and I trust you all."
Shui Yueer immediately felt her heart pounding rapidly, like a startled deer.
She quietly moved a little closer.
Her slender fingers pretended to adjust her skirt, but in reality, they had already touched the hem of Xiao Ze's clothes.
Suddenly feeling the soft touch on his arm, Xiao Ze realized that Shui Yueer had almost entirely leaned against him.
Xiao Ze was dumbfounded, but he didn't pull away.
Since others were practically throwing themselves at him, and his emotional intelligence was now a bit higher, he naturally wouldn't do that.
Besides, he liked all three girls; they had very good personalities.
Huo Wu was outwardly fiery but easily shy, a girl of contradictions.
Shui Yueer was lively and cute, very proactive, and good at providing emotional support.
Water Binger was outwardly cold but, like Huo Wu, easily shy, though Water Binger leaned more towards social anxiety.
They were all exceptional girls.
Seeing that Xiao Ze didn't refuse, Shui Yueer smiled with her eyes curving, and her left hand quietly moved towards Xiao Ze's hand.
"Shui! Yue! Er!" Huo Wu's angry roar came from behind them.
It startled both Shui Yueer and Xiao Ze at the same time.
It felt like being caught in an illicit affair.
The red-haired girl charged over aggressively, "You stay away from him."
Instead of dodging, Shui Yueer defiantly hooked her arm through Xiao Ze's, sticking out her tongue at Huo Wu, "No ~ Come and hit me if you dare ~"
Xiao Ze felt a headache coming on; these two girls really were sworn enemies.
Xiao Ze suddenly reached out and grabbed Huo Wu's wrist.
"Ah!" Huo Wu exclaimed, not having time to react before she was gently pulled into Xiao Ze's arms by a soft force.
She instinctively braced herself against Xiao Ze's chest, looking up to meet his eyes.
"You... what are you doing?" Huo Wu's voice grew softer and softer, her cheeks flushing.
Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her red hair cascaded over Xiao Ze's arm.
"Isn't this what you wanted? I'm always fair, so you don't need to argue with Yue'er anymore," Xiao Ze said with a smile.
"I... I didn't," Huo Wu said, but she showed no intention of breaking free.
Shui Yueer puffed out her cheeks beside them, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.
But quickly, the mischievous girl adjusted her mood, gave a soft hum, and proactively leaned her head on Xiao Ze's other shoulder.
"You're lucky," she mumbled softly, unable to hide the sweet curve of her lips.
Xiao Ze gently wrapped his arms around the two distinctly different girls, feeling their contrasting temperatures.
On one side was the warmth radiating from Huo Wu, and on the other, the unique coolness of Shui Yueer, a Water Spirit Master.
The night breeze swept by, carrying the faint fragrance from their hair, making one unconsciously relax.
A little farther away, the other girls' gazes involuntarily drifted towards this heartwarming scene.
Water Binger sat with her knees hugged, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes, but she quickly lowered her head.
She wouldn't have a chance today.
"Just go if you want to," Dugu Yan appeared behind her at some point, playfully poking her shoulder.
Water Binger flinched like a startled deer and quickly shook her head, "No... no need."
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing stood side-by-side, one full of gossip, the other expressionless, but both occasionally glanced towards Xiao Ze.
"Tsk tsk, with a girl on each arm, he's really comfortable," Ning Rongrong muttered softly.
"It's usually like this, I remember you're the most proactive every day," Zhu Zhuqing said, the corners of her mouth curving slightly.
"Hmph hmph, I just don't want Xiao Ze to be sad alone, so I keep him company," the 'Hmph Hmph' Ning Rongrong made her appearance again.
The night grew deeper, and the starlight became even more brilliant.
The two girls in Xiao Ze's arms gradually relaxed, both leaning closer into his embrace, comfortably closing their eyes.
At this moment, all the noise faded away, leaving only the starlight, the breeze, and the sound of their heartbeats.
Water Binger gazed at this warm scene, sighing softly, but secretly hoping in her heart.
Maybe tomorrow... or perhaps the day after... she might also get a chance.
Brave Bing'er isn't afraid of difficulties, go for it!
At the same time.
In a hotel in Heaven Dou City.
Water Yi Yao and Huo Wushuang looked at each other, both seeing the strong helplessness in the other's eyes.
"It seems those three girls won't be coming back today," Water Yi Yao sighed softly.
"This Xiao Ze is really hateful; they only met today, and he took them back, not even sending them home! What if something happens..."
"It won't. Xiao Ze still has so many girlfriends around him. Even if something were to happen, it wouldn't be now."
"Sigh... I'm just worried."